A fantasy anthology featuring the deadly, the worldly, and the sneaky. Blackguards consists mainly of stories in established series, and the authors range from wildly successful indie authors to New York Times best sellers. If you enjoy roguish tales of scoundrels and ne'er-do-wells, this one's for you.

Forging Divinity: The War of Broken Mirrors, Book 1

Some say that in the city of Orlyn, godhood is on sale to the highest bidder. Thousands flock to the city each year, hoping for a chance at immortality. Lydia Hastings is a knowledge sorcerer, capable of extracting information from anything she touches. When she travels to Orlyn to validate the claims of the local faith, she discovers a conspiracy that could lead to a war between the world's three greatest powers. At the focal point is a prisoner who bears a striking resemblance to the long-missing leader of the pantheon she worships.

Reign of Madness: King's Dark Tidings, Book 2

Equipped with skills far beyond those of the outworlders, Rezkin has been suddenly thrust into a foreign world. The young warrior clings to his only known purpose as he continues his search for any information about his identity and the reason for his existence. While the hardened warrior scorns both dueling and tournaments, he believes some of the answers he seeks may be found at the King's Tournament, the greatest dueling championship in all of the kingdoms.

The Way into Chaos: The Great Way, Book 1

The city of Peradain is the heart of an empire built with steel, spears, and a monopoly on magic...until in a single day it falls, overthrown by a swarm of supernatural creatures of incredible power and ferocity. Neither soldier nor spell caster can stand against them. The empire's armies are crushed, its people scattered, its king and queen killed. Freed for the first time in generations, city-states scramble to seize neighboring territories and capture imperial spell casters.

Free the Darkness: King's Dark Tidings, Book 1

Raised and trained in seclusion at a secret fortress on the edge of the northern wilds of the Kingdom of Ashai, a young warrior called Rezkin is unexpectedly thrust into the outworld when a terrible battle destroys all that he knows. With no understanding of his life’s purpose and armed with masterful weapons mysteriously bestowed upon him by a dead king, Rezkin must travel across Ashai to find the one man who may hold the clues to his very existence.

Hero: Legend of Drizzt: Homecoming, Book III

Something akin to peace has come to the Underdark. The demon hordes have receded, and now the matron mothers argue over the fate of Drizzt Do'Urden. Even so, it becomes clear to one matriarch after another that while the renegade drow may come and go, Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders, will crawl forever on. And so Drizzt is free to return to his home on the surface once again. Scores are settled as lives are cut short, yet other lives move on. For the lone drow, there is only a single final quest: a search for peace, for family, for home.

The Devil You Know: A Brimstone Angels Novel

Before Farideh took a devil's pact, before she was Chosen by the god-king of the Hells, before any of this started, there was Bryseis Kakistos, the original Brimstone Angel, first of Farideh's line. Now, at the end, there is also Bryseis Kakistos - but this time, instead of helping the king of the Hells achieve godhood, she's going to kill him. All she needs is a little help from Farideh - which she should, by all accounts, be happy to give. After all, who could object to killing the king of the Hells?

Age of Myth: Book One of The Legends of the First Empire

Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between humans and those they thought were gods changes forever. Now only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer. Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom. And Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people.

A Warrior's Penance

Following Stronghold's destruction, Rukh and Jessira lead the ragged remnants of the OutCastes on the long march to Ashoka. There they seek sanctuary for her people, but in order to do so they must overcome unyielding law that demands exile for all ghrinas. Meanwhile, Hal'El Wrestiva - exposed and reviled as the Withering Knife murderer - escapes from Ashoka and hatches one final scheme to resuscitate his soiled reputation.

In Shining Armor: Pax Arcana Series, Book 4

When someone kidnaps the last surviving descendant of the Grandmaster of the Knights Templar, it's bad news. When the baby is the key to the tenuous alliance between a large werewolf pack and the knights, it's even worse news. They're at each other's throats before they've even begun to look for baby Constance. But whoever kidnapped Constance didn't count on one thing: She's also the goddaughter of John Charming, modern-day descendant of a long line of famous dragon slayers, witch finders, and wrong righters.

Swords and Deviltry: The Adventures of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser

In the ancient city of Lankhmar, two men forge a friendship in battle. The red-haired barbarian Fafhrd left the snowy reaches of Nehwon looking for a new life, while the Gray Mouser, apprentice magician, fled after finding his master dead. These bawdy brothers-in-arms cement a friendship that leads them through the wilds of Nehwon facing thieves, wizards, princesses, and the depths of their desires and fears.

Elminster: The Making of a Mage: Forgotten Realms: Elminster, Book 1

In ancient days, sorcerers sought to learn the One True Spell that would give them power over all the world and understanding of all magic.... The One True Spell was a woman, and her name was Mystra - and her kisses were wonderful. It is the time before Myth Drannor, when the Heartlands are home to barbarians, and wicked dragons rule the skies. In these ancient days, Elminster is but a shepherd boy, dreaming of adventure and heroics. When a dragon-riding magelord sweeps down upon him, though, the boy is thrust into a world of harsh realities, corrupt rulers, and evil sorcerers.

Rune of the Apprentice

In a world where magic, technology, and nature have merged, the few who can control Runes hold dominance over all of creation. All believe that Aleksi, a 16-year-old orphan, was blessed to be born with a Rune embedded in his palm, but that's only because they don't know the truth - Aleksi's Rune is so powerful it's killing him.

Battlemage

"I can command storms, summon fire, and unmake stone. Animals have nothing interesting to say, and no one can see the future because it has not been written," growled Balfruss. "It's dangerous to meddle with things you don't understand." When you fight magic with magic, nothing is certain. Balfruss is a battlemage, one of a vanishing breed, sworn to fight and die for a country that fears and despises him.

Homeland: Legend of Drizzt: Dark Elf Trilogy, Book 1

This stunning new release of the classic R.A. Salvatore novel recounts the origins of Salvatore's signature dark elf character, Drizzt Do'Urden. This title kicks off The Legend of Drizzt series, which will showcase the classic dark elf novels in these new audiobook editions.

The Way into Magic: The Great Way, Book 2

Having lost the prince to the madness of The Blessing, Tejohn and Cazia are the only people who know of his plan to retrieve a secret spell that might - just might - turn the tide of battle against the grunts. But Tejohn's body is broken, and Cazia has been stripped of her magic. Worse, both are being held captive: Tejohn faces charges of treason in the lands where he was born. On the other side of the continent, Cazia is a prisoner of the Tilkilit queen, a creature with a desperate, deadly plan.

The Wind and the Void: Nightblade, Book 3

In the midst of the chaos, the actions and choices of a select few will shape the future of the land. Akira prepares to give up his Lordship. Ryuu wanders the Southern Kingdom, searching for a reason to fight. Moriko sits quietly, biding her time before she leaves the Three Kingdoms for good. Finally, across the Three Sisters, Nameless fight to keep his fragile alliance of clans together.

The Way into Darkness: The Great Way, Book 3

What was once the Peradaini Empire is now a wasted landscape of burned, empty cities and abandoned farmlands. The Blessing, now more numerous than ever, continues to spread across the continent, driving refugees to the dubious safety of the city walls. Unharvested crops mean that few strongholds have enough provisions to last the winter, although most know the grunts will take them before starvation will. But hope survives.

Ascendant's Rite: The Moontide Quartet, Book 4

The last few months of the moontide - when the bridge connecting East and West rises above the sea - has come, and in the West Emperor Constant prepares the final phase of his plan to conquer the East.....

The Ogre Apprentice: The Bowl of Souls, Book 8

Justan's time in Malaroo isn't going well. A deadly shape-shifting assassin seeks his life, and he is struggling to win over Jhonate's father. Fist is the only ogre ever to train at the Mage School. He is determined to make the most of this opportunity, but his plans are derailed and his burgeoning powers tested when he receives a visit from the tribe he had long thought dead.

A Shattered Empire

In a battle of armies and sorcerers, empires will fall. After young Caldan's parents were slain, a group of monks raised the boy and initiated him into the arcane mysteries of sorcery. But when the Mahruse Empire was attacked and the lives of his friends hung in the balance, he was forced to make a dangerous choice. Now, as two mighty empires face off in a deadly game of supremacy, potent sorcery and creatures from legend have been unleashed. To turn the tide of war and prevent annihilation, Caldan must learn to harness his fearsome and forbidden magic.

Malice: The Faithful and the Fallen, Book 1

In this epic fantasy debut (perfect for fans of George R. R. Martin), John Gwynne takes listeners to The Banished Lands - a broken world with a violent past. Corban wants nothing more than to be a warrior under King Brenin's rule - to protect and serve. But that day will come all too soon. And the price he pays will be in blood.

The Troll King: The Bowl of Souls, Volume 9

He was born a king. Half troll and half man, he crawled from the womb of a god and found himself leader of a deformed but powerful race. As he struggles to lead his people Mellinda slithers into their midst. She wields the Rings of Stardeon and she has her own plans for his people. A prophet has been taken. A demon army joins the enemies of the grove. Will Justan's might and Tarah Woodblade's powers be enough to help Jhonate's people protect the Jharro Grove? It may all depend on the choices made by the Troll King.

Cephrael's Hand: A Pattern of Shadow and Light, Book 1

In Alorin...300 years after the genocidal Adept Wars, the realm is dying, and the blessed Adept race dies with it. One man holds the secret to reverting this decline: Bjorn van Gelderan, a dangerous and enigmatic man whose shocking betrayal three centuries past earned him a traitor's brand. It is the Adept Vestal Raine D'Lacourte's mission to learn what Bjorn knows in the hope of salvaging his race. But first he'll have to find him....

Publisher's Summary

So here’s the plan: Kill the demon, steal the treasure, and retire to a life of luxury!

It sounds easy when put like that. However, most unfortunately for warrior-priest Egil and sneak thief Nix, when the demon they kill turns out to have worshippers in high places, retirement is not an option.

A wonderfully fast-paced fantasy adventure redolent of the classic tales of swords and sorcery, from New York Times best-selling author Paul S. Kemp.

Since 'The Lies of Locke Lamora', I can not seem to pass any fantasy book with thieves and promise of humor. This book however is not of a caliber of 'The Lies..'. It is pretty much a standard fantasy book about two thieves who also are little bit of magician and priest (go figure). Use of magic openly used to gain more power magical powers by the main bad guy making this book pretty much standard.

Characters are flushed out to an extent, but I am not too sure if world building is as good. There is humor in the book as well, but it will not make the reader uncontrollably laugh while driving.

There are couple of interesting points in the book. The pact with the devil is of unique kind I thought. Also, end has a bit of a surprise as well. Depending on your perspective, it could be a one of the more satisfying endings.

Another good reason to pick this book up would be the narrator. I am having 'King Killer Chronicles' withdrawals and listening to Nick Podehl helps : ) Needless to say that narration is very good and entertaining.

In conclusion, it is light standard fantasy book with good narration. I would recommend this book for times when we are waiting for high caliber books to arrive.

Nix and Egil. They crack me up. Their like brothers. Always busting each others balls. Laughed out load alot.

Which scene was your favorite?

All of this story was very good at keeping me engaged. The scene that really got me was the last scene. Justice was served.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This story did have me hooked. I listen in 2 listens. I think Nick Podehl had Alot to do with that. Every Nick Podehl story I've listen to has been Awsome. Even the ones not highly rated. He seems to pull it off.

Any additional comments?

This was surprisingly good.It did not BLOW my mind, but very entertaining.Check it out .You will enjoy it.

Egil & Nix are the most fun I've had in a fantasy story in many years! Fast-paced with great action sequences, you feel like you're standing side-by-side with the lads on their journeys! keep'em coming!

A great tale of fantasy adventure. No grand heroes on a quest for greatness to drive back the foul doers of evil. Nope, just a couple of tomb robbers trying to retire when an unforeseen debt comes there way. Forced into serving a malevolent sorcerer to his ends.But the story proves it's worth. The characters have great depth and personality. Good spirit of adventure overall.The final act is a great turning point. Where our ragtag duo or put to a choice, Walk away and let bad things happen to innocent people or Be better men.Great book.

Absolutely, if they are a fan of classic sword and sorcery fiction. The humor, dark sorcery, and bizarre situations the two heroes, Egil and Nix (close enough to a certain well-known duo from Lankhmar but different enough to be interesting!), find themselves in is a definite salute to classic pulp sword and sorcery fiction from yesteryear. However, these two are less "roguish" and more "heroic" than most classic sword and sorcery characters and there is a bit more of a contemporary presentation of the two main female characters who a) drive the plot in a way that is not dependent upon them being romantic interests for Egil and Nix, and b) are very intelligent and strong characters in their own right.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Egil. His devotion to his dead god and his heroic disposition made him very easy to cheer for.

What does Nick Podehl bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voices for both Egil and Nix really bring the characters to life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Goo-gahs.

Any additional comments?

I liked the second book in the series almost as much as this one. It has more background development for both Egil and Nix and a very interesting villain as well. However, the adventure they are on in the second book I found a bit less involved.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Hammer and the Blade to be better than the print version?

Unfortunately, what with not being able to see and all, I've never read the print version.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

While I throughly enjoyed this book, I didn't have any strong emotions tied to it. Now that I think about it, that might be one of the reasons I liked it as much as I did. With some many fantasy novels these days having strong and distinctive social or political messages, it was nice to sit back and veg out to some good ole fashioned sword and sorcery, It reminded me of some of the early Conan short stories which I loved as a kid.